Australian Retriever Dog Breed Information

Group

Herding

Weight

15-23.5 kg

Height

48-58 cm

Lifespan

11-14 years

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About the Australian Retriever

Reviewed by:

Dr. Julia Brassel

Veterinarian

Looking for a furry friend to make the perfect addition to your home, but don’t know where to start on the 350+ recognised dog breeds? We’ve got you covered!

After reading our helpful guide on this friendly cross-breed of the Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever, discussing everything from temperament to common health issues, you’ll be sure to know if the Aussie Retriever is the right fit for you.

What is the history & origin of the Australian Retriever?

In 2007, when an Australian breeder bred her black Australian Shepherd with three of her own Golden Retriever females, three litters were born, with the latter two in 2008.

The Australian Shepherd, despite its name, is a breed from Western America. They were initially bred to herd livestock in the 19th century and are often used as guide dogs.

The Golden Retriever originated in Britain and was actually used to retrieve waterfowl. In 1865, a businessman received the only yellow puppy in a litter of black retrievers and bred it with the (now extinct) Tweed Water Spaniel, which became the foundation for the Golden Retriever we know today! The Golden arrived in the US in the early 1900s.

What is an Australian Retriever breed?

The Australian Retriever (aka the Golden Aussie) is a hybrid breed of dog; a mix between the Golden Retriever and the Australian Shepherd. The Designer Dogs Kennel Club recognises this breed.

Who is an Australian Retriever best for?

The Australian Retriever, just like its parent breeds is energetic and therefore requires an owner that can provide it with over 1 hour of vigorous exercise every day. Therefore, they are best suited to an active person rather than a couch potato.

Despite this, an Australian Retriever is a great family dog, that is completely devoted to them. They are excellent with children and also do well with other dogs, so are great for a multi-pet household.

Due to the dependence on their humans, if you are someone who works a lot and lives alone, an Australian Retriever is not the dog for you.

Australian Retriever Grooming & Shedding

Proper grooming is imperative for Australian Retrievers. Regular grooming sessions with a proper slicker brush should be carried out daily, to prevent this dog’s beautiful, long and feathery coat from becoming matted and painful. De-shedding tools should also be used regularly as Australian Retrievers shed a lot!

You should expect to bathe your Aussie Retriever once every 2 months, using a good dog shampoo that will not irritate their sensitive skin. However, you should not exceed this, or you will risk stripping your dog off its skin’s natural oils.

You should also keep your dog’s teeth clean, as well as their eyes and ears. Carry out a quick clean of these once a week. Cutting their nails regularly is an essential part of the grooming routine, to prevent them from splintering.

Do Australian Retrievers bark a lot?

Australian Retrievers can be known to bark a lot more than other dogs. This is likely a result of their herding instincts, due to being bred to work. They will most often bark if they are startled, scared or even if they are playing and getting a bit too excited!

To prevent excessive barking, boundaries should be set at a young age. Instead of punishing them for barking too much, you should instead positively reinforce good behaviours.

What is the average weight & height of an Australian Retriever dog?

Due to their parent breeds being the Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever, the Australian Retriever is a large breed.

The male Australian Shepherd can grow between 52 and 58cm, and the male Golden Retriever to between 51 and 56cm.

Due to the large size of the Aussie Retriever’s parent breeds, it can grow to between 48 and 58cm. They can weigh up to 23.5kg!

Are Australian Retrievers easy to train?

Early socialization is an important part of training your Australian Retriever, as this will teach him politeness and the way he is expected to behave. It will also ensure confidence, by exposing him to all kinds of people and animals.

The Australian Retriever is prone to separation anxiety and therefore crate training is often used to train these dogs.

Positive reinforcement is also a good method with this breed. Punishment is not great, as this breed can tend to be sulky like its Golden Retriever parent. Rewarding with treats is favoured as this breed is driven by food.

How do Australian Retrievers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Australian Retriever is an extremely friendly breed, inheriting its loving nature and obedience from its Golden Retriever parent. This breed requires a lot of company and is best suited to families that do not work a lot and can provide it with plenty of quality time.

Just like Australian Shepherds, the Aussie Retriever can be unsure of strangers at first, but will soon warm up. They actually become extremely loyal dogs, but proper training is important to make sure that overprotectiveness does not become a serious issue.

As energetic as the Australian Shepherd, the Australian Retriever requires an active family. They also need lots of stimulating activities to entertain them day to day. But thanks to their Golden Retriever parent, they won’t hesitate to enjoy a snooze in the evening to regain their energy and do it all again tomorrow!

Does the Australian Retriever have any common health issues?

Unfortunately, being a hybrid breed, the Australian Retriever can inherit health issues from both parent breeds.

Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia – This is common in the Australian Shepherd and symptoms of this are something that owners of the Australian Retriever breed should look out for.
Eye issues – Both the Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd breeds lend themselves to this. Common problems that can occur in the Australian Retriever are cataracts and collie eyes.
Cancer – Cancer is higher in both the Australian Shepherd and the Golden Retriever, although the Australian Retriever’s Golden parent has one of the highest rates of cancer in the whole canine population.

If you notice any changes in your Australian Retriever, consult a Vet immediately.

What is the lifespan of an Australian Retriever?

Australian Retrievers, similarly to their parents, enjoy a lifespan of between 11 to 14 years.

How much does an Australian Retriever need to be fed?

The Australian Retriever requires a high amount of protein in their diet for their hard-working muscles and energetic nature.

High-quality dog food and a balanced diet are essential for this breed.

Due to the fast metabolism of their parent, the Australian Shepherd, they are less likely to become overweight. However, the Golden Retriever is prone to being overweight, so do not neglect this. If your Australian Retriever is appearing to gain weight quickly, putting them on a diet and weight management dog food is a good way of preventing a dangerous level of weight gain.

How much can you expect to pay for an Australian Retriever in Australia?

If you’re looking to buy an Australian Retriever puppy, it is important to do research on prices and breeders beforehand. Prices can vary for a number of reasons, such as bloodline, appearance and other factors.

Prices of Australian Retriever puppies have soared in recent years. Typically, you can expect to pay between $1000 and $1500 for your dog. However, if you’re after a puppy from a specific bloodline or champion family, this price can rise to $4000.

Make sure you’re looking at a reputable breeder when buying a puppy and never purchase from puppy mills.

Australian Retriever FAQs

Are Australian Retrievers prone to separation anxiety?

Yes! This breed is best suited to a family that has a lot of time for it and does not work a lot. A way of improving separation anxiety is crate training.

Are Australian Retriever dogs hypoallergenic?

No, Australian Retrievers are not hypoallergenic. Thanks to the thick, double coat of both the Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd, you can expect a lot of shedding from your dog.

Can Australian Retrievers swim?

Yes. Australian Retrievers’ parent – the Golden Retriever, is an excellent swimmer as it was originally bred to retrieve waterfowl. Australian Shepherd dogs are also great swimmers, and learn to do it with very little problem at all.